South Dakota Association of County Commissioners
Highway Superintendents Certification Manual
The SDACHS Certification Manual is a practical reference for county highway superintendents, covering the South Dakota laws, procedures and accounting practices that guide the management of county roads and bridges.
About the Manual
Review the committee, recent revisions, the complete subject index and every web resource referenced in the manual.
Committee & Assistance
Certification Committee members, legal review and past versions of the manual.
Open PDF →Revision History
A year-by-year summary of changes made to the manual since 2016.
Open PDF →Index
Every subject covered in the manual, organized by chapter.
Open PDF →Web Links
All online resources referenced throughout the manual, with directions.
Open PDF →Manual Chapters
Each chapter opens as a PDF in a new tab. Topics shown are highlights; see the Index for the complete list.
Supervision of County Highways
- County Highway Superintendent
- Minimum & No Maintenance Roads
- Snow Removal
- Utility Lines
- System Revisions
County Bridges
- Bridge Construction Supervision
- Emergency Bridge Contracts
- Bridge & Culvert Inspection
- Posting & Rating Levels
SDDOT Local Roads Plan, Applicable Codified Laws & Roadway Design Elements
- SDDOT Local Roads Plan
- Laws on Standards
- Classes of Highways
Highway Markers, Markings & Signs
- SD Codified Laws
- Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
Acquisitions, Disposals & Exchanges
- Bid Booklet (July 2024)
- When Bidding Is Required
- Emergency Purchases
- Surplus Property
County Officer & Employee Liability, Benefits and Restrictions
- County Liability
- Liability Insurance Pool
- Life & Health Insurance
- CDL Manual
Financing of Highways & Bridges
- Motor Vehicle License Revenue
- Federal Aid Matching
- Road & Bridge Levies
- Wheel Tax
- Rural Access Infrastructure
County Highway Department’s Cost Accounting System
- Labor & Materials Journals
- Equipment Cost Journal
- Project Budgets
- Equipment Rental Rates
What’s new in 2026
Chapter VII has been updated under Rural Access Infrastructure: SDCL 31-34-2 and 31-34-3 were updated and a new section was added. See the Revision History for all past changes.
Certification Committee
- Joseph Miller ChairPennington County
- Dirk RogersBrown County
- Brian GustadBrookings County
- Dustin HoflandMarshall County
- Rick HartleyCodington County
- Cliff ReuerSDLTAP
- Noël ClocksinSDDOT / Local Government Assistance
- Eric EricksonCutler Law Firm, LLP
- Kris JacobsenDirector, SDACC
Key Resources Referenced
For step-by-step directions to each resource, see the Web Links PDF.